NSU American Indian Symposium

(Tahlequah, Okla.) Northeastern State Universitys Center for Tribal Studies will host its 43rd Annual Symposium on the American Indian, April 14-18 at the Tahlequah campus. The theme of this years event is Children: The Seeds of Change.

An exciting addition to this years schedule is the presence and participation of Oklahoma-born Wes Studi, acclaimed Cherokee actor who has starred in Hollywood hits like Dances With Wolves and Geronimo: An American Legend.

Studi will be present on April 14 and 15; giving the keynote address on the latter day.

What I am most happy about is to bring Wes Studi to the symposiumto have him here, to have him come back home, said Alisa Douglas, CTS interim director and student coordinator.

The five-day symposium is free to the public, and includes a full schedule of educational lectures, panels, films, cultural activities and culminates with NSUs Powwow.

The event kicks-off on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Webb Auditorium with Ronnie BoDean, the first feature from the symposiums planned film series. It is directed by Kiowa and Choctaw filmmaker Steven Paul Judd, and stars Studi. A Q&A with both guests will follow the film.

The lectures and seminars will generally focus on topical issues, like teaching and preserving indigenous languages, Douglas said.

A lot of the topics discussed are issues that American Indians have had to work through in the past and even today.

A panel with Hawaiian-native Namaka Rawlins, Chumona Deere, Meda Nix, Kevin Roberts-Field and moderator Wyman Kirk, will discuss and field questions on Teaching Indigenous Languages. This focus continuesThursday, April 16, as Muscogee (Creek) Scholars host a Native Language Forum, followed by an Indigenous Languages Documentation and Revitalization Seminar which also continues intoFridayas an all-day session.

According to Douglas, one of the main issues American Indians continually face is the revitalization of their languages.

The symposium will not be all talk, however. Attendees can participate in Walking for Fitness for the first three days, led by NSU graduate student Travis Wickliffe, or enjoy a free concert onFriday, April 17 as renowned musical artist Samantha Crain performs in the University Center Ballroom at 7 p.m.

Vendor booths, run mostly by Native American artists, will give the public a chance to purchase handmade beaded jewelry and art, and woven baskets.

The Powwow onSaturday April 18, the last day of the symposium, will take place in the University Center Ballroom from 2 p.m. until midnight. Guests can look forward to gourd and intertribal dancing, supper at 5 p.m. and the grand entry of performers two hours later.

There are no sign-up sheets for any of the events. Attendees simply show up and enjoy.